Lathe Leaking oil. (Craftex B2777L)

[Jwest7788]

In the cabinet with my change gears, there is a little hole at the buttom, center:


This little bad boy is slowly draining my oil out. Making quite a bit of mess over time.
Seems to leak the absolute worst when running the maching for awhile.


Thoughts?
(I'm thinking maybe overfilled slightly?)

I've just been wiping up the mess when I notice it is leaking out of the cabinet, but that's not really a solution.

Shout out to @Brian Lawrence who I believe as the same lathe as me.


JW

 

[Janger]

hmmm the hole? Not that bolt that looks like it has oil underneath?

 

[Jwest7788]

Yeah I wiped up and then thought "I should ask the forum about this"

Confirmed, it's the hole. Haha


Sent from my iPhone.

 

[PeterT]

If this is the right lathe/manual...? A gear head model with gears running in oil bath of headstock casting?
http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CCIQFjABahUKEwjow5eTtpLIAhWUSogKHZhwBJw&url=http://busybeetools.com/content/product_manuals/B2227L.pdf&usg=AFQjCNFc72V4M255vHo0BhHM5lk3Gh_lpQ&sig2=uxPcgw9DwyX18L_4EZ9z_w

I'm going to guess the bolt head with the oil puddle under is the oil drain plug? Unfortunately they don't show that side of the headstock casting in this manual. On the front they show part 72 as 'leveler'. Assuming that's the sight glass thingy. But in the instructions they say drain through 'front' side. It could also be a bolt connected to some part of internal assembly & leaking that way?
If it is a typical pipe thread drain plug, issue might be some combination of not tightened or not so good threads or lack of sealant or cracked sealant. Have you changed the oil yourself in this manner? Typically they ship them without oil, leaving that job to sales company when landed or the customer. Not sure in your case. If its positioned low in the casting, then that would kind of make sense as a drain. Maybe give BB a call too.

ps can you remove the top lid to have a peek inside without dealing with an oil drain?

 

[Jwest7788]

Close, the picture you're showing references the site glass on the front of the lathe. Those two holes are the two speed control knobs.

I'll gather some more pictures tonight / this weekend!

Yep, I can take the lid off and get inside, I've already drained the sludge out and put fresh oil in. (Proper oil according to another forum)
Here's what was in there before I cleaned it out:

JW

 

[PeterT]

I think we are saying same thing. The 'front' of lathe (where I hilited yellow) is maybe the sight glass level? But what I would call the outboard left end of the headstock with pulley wheels, where you are showing leak & bolt head, is what I'm wondering is the drain plug? They make it confusing by saying change oil through the front.

Mucky oil. Sheesh, mine looks nice & clear amber through the site glass but now you have me thinking... maybe overdue

 

[Janger]

Close, the picture you're showing references the site glass on the front of the lathe. Those two holes are the two speed control knobs.

I'll gather some more pictures tonight / this weekend!

Yep, I can take the lid off and get inside, I've already drained the sludge out and put fresh oil in. (Proper oil according to another forum)
Here's what was in there before I cleaned it out:

JW

That's gross! So what oil did you put in and where did you buy it? I assume not 10W30 from the auto store... 20W? from?

 

[Jwest7788]

Yeah, it was pretty bad, haha.

I used a detergent free hydraulic oil. I have the can still, will check later!

 

[Jyman]

Jwest,

What kind of oil did you end up using and where did you get it from?

Jon

 

[John Conroy]

This is the oil I use in my lathe and my pm932 mill Gear boxes.

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/all-season-36-hydraulic-oil/A-p8479172e


That bolt that's leaking oil could be threaded into the end of a shaft in the gear box. If the bolt can be removed without the shaft falling you could seal the threads with Permatex or similar pipe thread sealant.

 

[Jwest7788]

Whoops. Forgot to report on which oil. Will confirm when I get home Monday.